SPREADING THE LIGHT CHURCH CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS IN JULY.Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer VAN NUYS - Christ the King Lutheran Church will offer a new twist to the lament that Christmas just seems to come earlier and earlier every year when Christmas in July is celebrated today and Sunday Sunday: see Sabbath; week. . ``Jesus was not really born on Dec. 25. He was probably born in late spring or early summer,'' said the Rev. Jeffrey Nelson. ``The December date was chosen in a response to the pagan Pagan (pəgän`), ruined city, Mandalay div., central Myanmar, on the Ayeyarwady River. Covering an area c.40 sq mi (100 sq km), it is one of the great archaeological treasures of Southeast Asia and a holy place of pilgrimage. Founded c. groups who were praying for light to return to the world on the greatest day of darkness Day of Darkness was the original name of Ireland's D.O.D. Festival. Inspired by the likes of the Wacken and Dynamo festivals in Germany and The Netherlands the festival was first held at Pedigree Corner in the heart of the County Laois country side on June 22nd 2002 as a , the winter solstice winter solstice n. In the Northern Hemisphere, the solstice that occurs on or about December 22. winter solstice Noun .'' The Van Nuys church has made it a tradition to hold Christmas in July for the past four years. Ideally the service should take place in June, said Nelson, but that month is reserved for the church's annual wedding vows renewal service. The July observance is scheduled on the Sunday closest to the 25th. ``Christians refer to Jesus as `the light of the world.' The season we're in now is the one with the greatest amount of sunlight. This is one of the images we can play on for this service,'' Nelson said. ``Of course, the candlelight ceremony doesn't have the greatest impact in the summer for the symbolism Symbolism In art, a loosely organized movement that flourished in the 1880s and '90s and was closely related to the Symbolist movement in literature. In reaction against both Realism and Impressionism, Symbolist painters stressed art's subjective, symbolic, and decorative . But we're praying for the one true light.'' There are clues in the Bible that December was not the birth month of Jesus, Nelson said. One is when the shepherds, tending their flocks at night, were visited by an angel announcing the birth. It was more likely that the shepherds were out at night in the springtime or summer, when the nights would have been warmer. While some people might dig out their Christmas jewelry jewelry, personal adornments worn for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious custom or fashion. The most universal forms of jewelry are the necklace, bracelet, ring, pin, and earring. or Christmasy clothing to wear to the service, the church won't be decked with Christmas red and greenery. Instead of a Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. , the church's nativity Nativity See also Christmas. Neglectfulness (See CARELESSNESS.) Nervousness (See INSECURITY.) Bethlehem birthplace of Jesus. [N.T. set and Christ candle will be on display. ``One of the main reasons we hold this service is so that there is an emphasis on God's gift to us, Jesus, instead of us concentrating on the gifts we would give to each other. It gets us away from the materialism materialism, in philosophy, a widely held system of thought that explains the nature of the world as entirely dependent on matter, the fundamental and final reality beyond which nothing need be sought. of December,'' said Nelson. Veronica Stensby, the church organist, will provide the music on Sunday. The regular Saturday rhythm and blues rhythm and blues (R&B) Any of several closely related musical styles developed by African American artists. The various styles were based on a mingling of European influences with jazz rhythms and tonal inflections, particularly syncopation and the flatted blues chords. band will provide the Christmas music today. ``This service is a lot about the music. It's fun because Christmas comes and goes so quickly that you don't get a chance to play the music so much,'' Stensby said. Nelson said some pastors do not allow the singing of Christmas carols A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics center on the theme of Christmas or that has become associated with the Christmas season even though its lyrics may not specifically refer to Christmas. Both types of Christmas carols are included in this list. during the Advent season - the four weeks leading up to Christmas. ``Their position is that Advent is not the Christmas season. The Christmas season is really only 12 days long. The focus for Advent is on the expectation of the coming of Christ and therefore carols are not appropriate in church,'' said Nelson. ``We've compromised with the singing of carols. We choose one carol for the first Sunday in Advent, two carols on the second and so on.'' Stensby is happy to oblige with her favorite Christmas arrangements before and during the service. ``It's the joy of the music that I like to contribute to. It's really a way of remembering the spirit of Christmas,'' Stensby said. Though it might seem odd to celebrate Christmas in July, there are some down-to-earth reasons why it's very practical. For instance, people may have been going through a family or health crisis during Christmas past and missed the joyfulness of the day. ``It's also a chance for members to celebrate Christmas with their fellow members, especially if they were traveling to visit their families in December,'' said Nelson. ``When each person accepts the light on their candle during the service, it will remind them that the light of Jesus is coming into their lives. It is their responsibility to spread the light into the dark places of the world. Even in July.'' Christmas in July will be held at the rhythm and blues contemporary service at 5:30 p.m. today and the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 17400 Vanowen St., Van Nuys. Call (818) 342-0302. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The Rev. Jeffrey Nelson and organist Veronica Stensby prepare to celebrate an out-of-season holiday this weekend. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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